Chevrons eye redemption against Sri Lanka after narrow Pakistan loss

Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZIMBABWE return to Rawalpindi this afternoon with one clear objective: to put Tuesday’s narrow defeat behind them and keep their T20I Tri-Series campaign alive. Standing in their way are Sri Lanka, and after a last-over loss to Pakistan in the opener, the Chevrons know they cannot afford another slip.

They had only yesterday to regroup after a five-wicket defeat that stung because they were in control more than once. Zimbabwe started brightly, bowled with heart and fielded with real intent, but key errors in the closing stages handed Pakistan the game — a stark reminder of how quickly momentum can vanish at this level.

The Chevrons go into today’s match determined to collect full points and strengthen their push for a place in the final, a crucial step in their build-up to next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. They also want to correct the mistakes that let Pakistan off the hook.

Pakistan’s middle order stole the night, recovering from 54 for 4 with partnerships of 61 and 36. Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan and Mohammed Nawaz absorbed pressure and punished the lapses that followed. Zimbabwe’s attack had been disciplined, backed by sharp ground fielding, yet a dropped catch and a misfield in the penultimate over undid much of that good work.

Chevrons captain Sikandar Raza admitted that their 147 for 8 was never going to be enough.
“I didn’t think that was a good total on that wicket. There was a need for batsmanship on this sort of wicket — some of us needed to grind for the team and try to build a partnership. Had we found one, I think 160-165 was a par score.

The guys were trying; we cannot fault them for that. Pakistan have some mystery, and the spinners are quality as well with Saim, Nawaz and Abrar. It’s not easy to put them away,” said Raza.

“I thought at that moment, had we found 6-7 an over and kept some wickets in hand, then we could have pulled the plug a bit earlier. We didn’t know how much dew there was going to be — the last 10 overs were slightly easier to bat on. When we went out there to bat, I thought there wasn’t much turn, it was just slightly stoppy. It wasn’t easy to work the pace. I thought 160, with the seam attack and quality we have, would have been par.”

Raza said there were still positives to carry into today’s encounter but emphasised the need to learn how to finish matches.

“Certainly happy with that — there are more positives than negatives. But we’re getting to a stage where the fight has always been there, yet we must learn how to cross the line. That has been the last hurdle. I’d like to see us crossing the line more often. Conditions were not the easiest — the pressure, the visibility of the high ball, especially when the temperature drops quickly—these are not easy. That’s why we love this game and play this sport,” he said.
The match starts at 3PM.